PCB Lodges Protest Over Indian Team’s Unsportsmanlike Conduct in Asia Cup Clash

Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally lodged a protest against what it described as the “inappropriate behavior” of the Indian team and match referee Andy Pycroft following the high-voltage Pakistan–India Asia Cup 2025 encounter.

According to PCB, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema recorded an official protest with the match referee, stating that the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands was against the spirit of the game. Sources revealed that when Cheema confronted Pycroft, the referee allegedly responded that he had been “requested” to make such an arrangement.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha also boycotted the post-match presentation ceremony in protest, reportedly because the presenter belonged to India.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hays said the national team’s reaction was “natural” given the circumstances. *“The way the Indian team acted, Pakistan’s response was only fair,”* he commented.

The team spokesperson clarified that Pycroft, who hails from Zimbabwe, had earlier asked both captains not to shake hands at the toss as well.

It may be recalled that after the same match in Dubai, Indian players once again refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts — an act widely criticized as being against sportsmanship traditions.

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چاہیں تو میں اس خبر کو مزید **سوشل میڈیا پوسٹ کے انداز** میں بھی ڈھال دوں تاکہ زیادہ شارپ اور وائرل لگے؟